Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion - Year A

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Palm Sunday of the Lord's Passion - Year A

April 9, 2017

Gospel: Mt 26:14—27:66

http://www.usccb.org

This week’s spotlight

The Passion of Christ

Passion comes from a Latin word that means "sufferings”. The story of the Passion of Jesus is recounted in the readings about his last meal with his disciples, his night of prayer in the garden of Gethsemane, his arrest, and his crucifixion. The four Gospels tell about the Passion of Jesus Christ. This shows the importance of the moment in time when Christ gave his life for all men, women, and children. On the third day, he will rise from the dead. It is the victory of God’s love.

Anima Christi

Soul of Christ ("Anima Christi" in Latin) is a beautiful traditional prayer of the Church. Take time to say this prayer during this very special week.

Soul of Christ, sanctify me, Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, fill me. Water from the side of Christ, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me. O good Jesus, hear me. Within your wounds hide me. Never let me be separated from you. From the evil enemy defend me. In the hour of death call me, And tell me to come unto you. That with your saints I may praise you For ever and ever. Amen.

Hosanna

Hosanna means "save us” in Hebrew. When Jesus enters Jerusalem, the crowds wave palm branches and set them on his path as a sign of honor and respect. They cheer him with shouts of “Hosanna!” and a line from Psalm I 18: "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord." This statement is a way to express that Jesus is the Messiah sent by God. In the Mass, these words are repeated in the Sanctus, which in Latin means “holy". The Sanctus is the "Holy, Holy, Holy" prayer said during the Eucharistic Prayer; it praises God for his holiness.

Reflection

A hero like no other!

In the movies, the superhero always wins. The superhero usually wears a special costume, like Batman or Spiderman, and usually carries a powerful weapon or drives some fast and flashy vehicle. Jesus, the “superhero” of the Gospels, is quite different. He wins by losing. He dies and is abandoned by his friends.The soldiers take away his clothes and roll dice to see who wins them. Jesus' only uniform is a mock crown made out of thorns. His only weapons are the cross and the nails from which he hangs. His vehicle into Jerusalem was a donkey. Even though the crowd welcomes him today as their king, on Friday they will cry out,“Crucify him! Crucify him!” This superhero, Jesus, didn’t come to destroy the enemies of the Jews, but to destroy sin and death. Jesus came not with violence, but with healing love. If Jesus is still your superhero, then hold your palm branches high, and greet him with, “Hosanna!”

Discussion questions

1.What happens to Jesus after he enters Jerusalem?2.Why does Jesus suffer and die on the cross?3.What happens after Jesus dies?4.How is God’s great love for us shown through Jesus?5.How do you give Jesus thanks and praise?

Praying after Communion

After receiving Holy Communion, you can say thisprayer silently to yourself. If you have notyet received your First Communion, you canstill say thisprayer because of your desire to receive Jesus.

Father, through Jesus, in communion with the whole Church, I thank you for coming into my heart. It's never too late to receive your love and forgiveness. Help me to follow you this week and to comfort you by my love and prayerfulness. Amen.

This week…

Celebrating Jesus

In Hebrew, the name Jesus means "God saves.” This week, show the love of Jesus, Savior of the human family, to a person who is suffering. Take a cup of hot chocolate to your sister who has the flu, or visit a classmate who has missed school. Smile and provide them with comfort and concern.

A special week

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week. Bring a palm frond that has been blessed at Mass to three people of your choice. This is a way of telling them of your faith in Jesus, our Messiah, and your hope in his Resurrection.